LEGENDARY singer Van Morrison turns 70 today and will celebrate his birthday in his hometown of Belfast by playing two sold out concerts at Cyprus Avenue.
Cyprus Avenue is a fitting venue for the landmark gigs, as it was made famous worldwide by Morrison’s song of the same name.
To mark the occasion, 'Van the Man' will be presented with a special Hyndford Street sign by the Lord Mayor of Belfast.
Morrison was born in 1945 and grew up at Hyndford Street in the east of Belfast city, close to the Harland and Wolff Shipyard where the Titanic was built.
His father was a shipyard worker and a lover of blues, country and gospel music.
Morrison started in music at young age and has gone on to pen some of Ireland's best loved songs from radio hits such as Brown Eyed Girl, Gloria and Here Comes The Night to his critically acclaimed masterpiece album 1968 album Astral Weeks.
He has received six Grammy Awards, the 1994 Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music, and has been inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
A prolific Morrison continued to grow and change throughout the 90s and beyond, collaboratimg with everyone from John Lee Hooker and Ray Charles to Tom Jones.
Earlier this year, the singer was awarded a knighthood on Queen Elizabeth II’s Birthday Honours list, becoming Sir George Ivan Morrison
This week, as part of a new digital deal, Morrison's entire back catalogue is available for the first time on music streaming services such as iTunes and Spotify.
Although his musical contribution is widely praised, Morrison has a reputation for being a diva and rarely speaks to the press.
He is married to former Miss Ireland, Michelle Rocca and they have two two children together.
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